'How about we toss a coin? Heads, it's west and a lift. Tails, it's still west, but no lift.' James is heading into the country on a teaching round, but his life takes a new direction when a mysterious girl asks him for a ride. Sophie has him all worked out: you live with your parents and they bought you this car, and a very nice car it is too... But gradually James gets past her wild hair and attitude, and Sophie trusts him with a secret she's been keeping too long. Black Painted Fingernails is a captivating and tender-hearted story about living the life that's true for you and being open to love. Steven Herrick's new YA novel follows on the success of By the River and his other popular and award-winning books.